What can we expect to see from AmosAnon over the next year?
Some more collaboration with Marque Duckmanton and Dan Ashcroft is almost a certainty. Perhaps some other newcomers to spice things up a little. Also expect a few more album drops around Wellington and Palmerston North and a dozen or so more random songs on the muzic.net.nz website.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Stop aspiring and be a musician. My washing machine repair man gave me some real good advice. Look to a role model that you aspire to be and aim to be better than them – set that initial goal of where you want to go then work and work. They’re only a human with the same tools you have. Also get your stuff out there for the world to hear. Don’t be shame. If you can’t show your friends your art how can you show thousands of people?
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
I’m down for anything in the $lave Collective scene; Impish (one of the fallen $lave bands) really started my love of local rock. Hmm… there really is too much to list. I have a lot of conflicting NZ favourites, from Minuit to 8ft Sativa.
What will AmosAnon’s next release be?
An EP of slow songs, with a simultaneous release of an EP of heavy songs. Maybe a DVD.
How do you believe AmosAnon fits into the NZ music industry?
Does it fit? I’m sure it has a niche… somewhere. Certainly not the mainstream. Not even the underground Indie scene – that’s too much like the mainstream nowadays.
How do you describe AmosAnon’s music?
It varies with each musician AmosAnon assimilates. The Dan Ashcroft (Crackpot Theory) stuff is heading more into Black/Doom Metal, the Marque Duckmanton (Pimpin Tintin) stuff alternates between rock, grunge, punk and the blues depending on what he’s wearing and what his haircut and beard are like on the day…
What is in your CD collection at home?
A lot of local Palmy stuff like Hellborne, Impish, Crackpot Theory, Haluciagea, Wall of Silents… Most of Tool’s records, early Rammstein and early Marilyn Manson. Few random titles by Scarling, t.A.T.u., Atreyu, Thrice, Iggy Pop, Smashing Pumpkins, Puscifer, Failure, Nirvana, System of a Down. Once again, too much to list.
What inspired you to become a start AmosAnon?
I’m not sure what the initial inspiration was. I used to sit for hours and make silly little songs in MIDI and Fruity Loops. I guess the collaborative aspect came into it when I responded to Marque Duckmanton’s advert to start a punk band. We were short a drummer, or we had a drummer but he lived in Marton, so we never really got past the first meeting, but my silly little songs started developing into music I could listen to without cringing. I quickly realised I can’t sing so I called upon Marque, who could, and the first AmosAnon song, 'Pity', was born.
How did you come up with the name AmosAnon?
Bradley Anderson (FallenAE) used to write stories with this character, Amos Jube. One late night I made a phonetic connection between Amos and Anonymous – which inspired me, because I wanted to perform anonymously, behind a mask and such. Instead of using the word Anonymous as a name I styled it like it would appear on a teacher’s roll, because an audience is kinda like an artist’s teacher in a way.
What rumour would you like to start about AmosAnon?
There is no AmosAnon.
If you haven't heard of Amos/Anon, then everything is fine. The system is working. Keep calm and stop thinking. Close your eyes and let capitalism lull you back into a dreamless slumber.
"...it’s Kiwi from end to end, indie and awesome. The more I listen, the more I want!"
"...unashamedly bolshie and brazen. There is no room for tenderness here."